Natural Remedies for Gallbladder Problems

There are some excellent natural remedies for gallbladder problems that one can try out at home. This article provides some of them.

HolisticZine Staff

Last Updated: Jun 3, 2018

The gallbladder is a vital organ and is an integral part of the digestive system. It is small in size and is located in the upper right side of the abdominal cavity, under the liver. Its main function is to store the digestive fluid, bile, which is needed for the digestion of fatty-food substances. During digestion, it releases the bile into the gastrointestinal tract and facilitates the digestion of fats. When there is a gallbladder problem, then the digestion process gets affected. The treatment mostly involves removal of the organ by surgical means. People look for natural remedies for this medical condition, mainly because they want to avoid surgery.

Causes and Symptoms

The major problems of the gallbladder are formation of gallstones, inflammation, or infection in it. The bile juice stored inside the gallbladder consists of cholesterol. When this cholesterol crystallizes, then hard gallstones are formed, whose size may vary from small sand grains to as big as a golf ball. The presence of gallstones often causes inflammation. A gallbladder attack happens when any gallstone gets stuck inside the tube or bile duct that joins the small intestine and liver. As a result, the bile passage is blocked and it gives rise to an excruciating upper abdominal pain. Other symptoms are nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, fever, etc. Some general symptoms include stomach pain after eating, constipation, bloating, intolerance towards fatty foods, etc.

Measures to be Considered

There are some simple measures that can be taken at home to improve this condition. When there is an acute inflammation in the gallbladder, you need to avoid all kinds of foods in the first two to three days, and take only water.

Once the fasting period is over, you should drink fresh juices extracted from fruits and vegetables for the next couple of days. Beet juice, cucumber juice, and carrot juice are highly beneficial for relief, as they cleanse up the digestive system really well. You can take 100 milliliters of these juices two times a day. The juice of the pear fruit has amazing healing qualities and can be taken daily for treating gallstones.

This should be followed by a gallbladder diet that includes lots of fiber-rich raw fruits and vegetables. The enzymes present in these foods makes digestion of the foods easier. Lentils, beans, nuts, peas, etc., can prevent recurrence of a gallbladder attack. Yogurt, cottage cheese, and vegetable oil are also good for the same. Avoid sugary snacks, fatty foods, and processed foods, as the gallbladder has to work harder to digest them. Also, keep the size of the meals small.

When you get up in the morning, the first thing that you should have on an empty stomach is about 30 ml of olive oil. It should be followed by 120 ml of grapefruit juice or 3-4 tablespoons of lemon juice. This should be continued for at least one week. This will soften up the gallstone(s) and facilitate its removal through stools.

Some Natural Remedies

There are some naturally-occurring substances that can be used for treating these symptoms. They are as follows:

Apple Cider Vinegar: Add 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water and have it twice daily - morning and night. The malic acid present in apple cider vinegar dissolves the gallstones. You can have it at the time of a gallbladder attack as well.

Aromatherapy Oils: A warm compression with any aromatherapy oil like lavender oil or rosemary oil can provide a lot of relief from the abdominal spasm. Dilute a few drops of the oil with some carrier oil like olive oil. Heat a small piece of cloth and pour some oil mixture on it, and place it over the upper right part of the abdomen.

Dandelion Root: This is an effective remedy for such problems. Prepare a decoction by boiling about 50 g of finely chopped dandelion root in 125 ml of water. Have it 3 times a day for best results. It improves bile production and facilitates faster elimination of the gallstones.

Chicory: Flowers, seeds, or roots of chicory can be used for the treatment. Prepare a decoction by boiling 30 mg of chicory in 100 ml of water. Strain out the chicory and have it for one month to get relief from pain.

If the condition is serious, where the size of the gallstone is large or there is severe infection, then surgery becomes absolutely necessary. So, in such a case do consult your doctor.

Disclaimer: This Buzzle article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.